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While the rest of the mid-Atlantic sits paralyzed awaiting the storm of the century, my folks and I ventured out to buy a new mouse for their computer and supplies to make one of my favorite dinners–fried chicken. My Dad makes an awesome fried chicken. While we were at the store, I saw a snack food I had never heard of: Red Velvet Bingles. Honest. Well, it WAS Food Lion!

This morning, I did take a more interesting picture of a Carolina Chickadee at the feeder. My folks have a dozen feeders of different shapes and sizes around their back yard. The one at the window makes for some cool close encounters.

Well, I was in McLean all week for a training class. I’m posting today only because I don’t want people to think I am dead.

Frankly, there is nothing to report. The class was excellent, but certainly not a subject for here (systems engineering certification, anyone?) My hotel stay was fine, but uneventful. I did get to have dinner with my dear friends Curt and Gretchen, but we didn’t exactly solve world hunger over margaritas.

So, instead, I’m reporting on what must be the deal of the century. As I was falling asleep this week, I saw an ad on several late night TV shows that burned into my subconscious. Not one, but TWO, quality Doggy Steps for $39. The doggies looked happy to me.

I’m sorry. That’s all I could come up with. I can’t even come up with a good rant like Curt 🙂

Today, I’m waiting for the Big Snow Storm. Uh huh.

Remember my mantra: keep it positive. This will be a challenge. On a full Airbus A319, Seat 24C is one of those lucky seats which actually has negative personal space. It is in the last row, on the aisle. So then, what are the positives?

Well, I’m facing my claustrophobia. On one side, a heavyset Russian man sitting in the middle seat next to me, his arm clearly over that narrow armrest. In front of me, a fully reclined seat not seven inches from my nose. Behind me, preventing me from reclining AT ALL? That’s right…the lavatory. And to the right…the never ending LINE for the lavatory.

The continuous lavatory line DID give me the chance to meet nearly every passenger, albeit at crotch level. Charming. For fun, I should have kept a list of who went #1 and who went #2.

…think positive…

Well, the constant B.O. from the two men next to me was whimsically covered every 5 minutes or so by a random scent each time the lavatory door was opened.

Another positive is that without any space in front of me, I couldn’t be tempted to open my laptop and do email or anything. So, I did get to listen to my iPod the entire way…oh, and an inflight episode of The Office, which was really good.

See? I can keep it positive.

Just a quick post to go on record and say that I love my iPod. (THANK YOU JEFF!) I flew from SFO to San Diego and back without buying a single magazine. This may not sound like a big deal…but I am Mr. Short Attention Span. I need constant entertainment. And my iPod, loaded with some select music and several Don and Mike Show clips kept me more than happy the entire trip. Honestly, this could EASILY pay for itself in cost avoidance at the newsstand in under a year.

Also, another quick item. I wanted to point everyone to the National Audubon website, where my mother was just elected to the national board of directors. I am so thrilled for her. 🙂

I just got in a couple of hours ago from two days in San Diego. Its raining, so Jeff and I grabbed some simple comfort food to go from La Corneta, our local (and excellent) Glen Park taqueria.

Anyhow, I’m too beat to tell tales of adventure and wonder 🙂 So, I’ll pop up a few cool pictures from the trip. First is the beautiful pre-dawn view from our balcony on Tuesday morning. Second is a shot of the amazing cloud/sunrise action happening over Half Moon Bay as we took off and banked to the south. And lastly is the San Diego skyline after dinner Tuesday evening.

More riveting stories when my brain is able to invent them.